The championship began in 2014 with two classes: Supercar (later RX1) and RX Lites (later RX2). RX Lites teams used identical cars prepared by OlsbergsMSE. The World RX Championship was established to distinguish it from the existing FIA European Rallycross Championship, which had been contested since 1976 and was renamed in March 2013.
In 2020, an electric category was planned but delayed until 2021 to allow manufacturers more time to prepare, leading to the introduction of the Projekt E class as a parallel series using a spec racer. In 2021, the RX2e class replaced the RX2 category. The top-level series transitioned to electric cars (RX1e) in August 2022, making World RX an all-electric race series. Internal combustion engine (ICE) cars were reintroduced alongside the electric RX1e vehicles in 2024. By 2025, the championship structure included the FIA World Rallycross Championship (electric cars), the FIA Euro RX1 Rallycross Championship (ICE cars), and the FIA Euro RX3 Rallycross Championship. The RX2e class was discontinued after the 2024 season.
RX1 Supercars, the top division, used 2.0 L turbocharged four-cylinder engines producing approximately 570–600 hp and 620–680 lb⋅ft of torque, with a 45 mm intake restrictor. These four-wheel-drive cars, equipped with a Sadev 6-speed sequential gearbox, could accelerate from 0–60 mph in under 2 seconds—faster than a Formula One car. Fully prepared, they weighed around 1,300 kg including the driver, oil, and fuel. The second-tier RX2 Supercar Lites division used a 2.4 L naturally aspirated Ford Duratec inline-four engine, generating between 310–320 hp and 300 N⋅m of torque. These cars also featured four-wheel drive and a 6-speed sequential gearbox, with a minimum weight of 1,100 kg. The RX3 class (formerly Super 1600) utilized 1.6 L naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines, producing 220–250 hp and 190–200 N⋅m of torque, and were front-wheel drive with either a 5- or 6-speed sequential gearbox, weighing between 920–1,000 kg.
The top-level all-electric RX1e Supercar division employed two electric motors, each producing 340 hp and 440 N⋅m of torque, for a combined total of 680 hp and 880 N⋅m of instant torque. These four-wheel-drive cars weighed between 1,300–1,330 kg and could accelerate from 0–60 mph in 1.8 seconds. The second-tier all-electric RX2e division used two electric motors, each producing 167.5 hp and 255 N⋅m of torque, for a total of 335 hp and 510 N⋅m of torque, weighing 1,290 kg. Projekt E cars used STARD electric powertrain kits, with the first car utilizing a Ford Fiesta bodyshell and featuring three motors for all-wheel drive and 600 hp output.
From 2014 to 2020, IMG Motorsport served as the series promoter. Subsequently, Rallycross Promoter GmbH (founded by Red Bull and KW25) took over until the end of 2024. In March 2025, the FIA announced it would promote the series in-house following a tendering process.
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